Troops of the Nigerian Armed Forces on Peacekeeping Mission have been charged to be good ambassadors of Nigeria and uphold its esteemed values and image.
Chief of Operations at the Army Headquarters, Major General Boniface Sinjen gave the charge during the graduation ceremony of troops of Nigerian Company nine ECOWAS mission in the Gambia, held at the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, Jaji Military Cantonment in Kaduna State.
Major General Boniface Sinjen explained that the political crisis in the Gambia had affected the lives of many innocent civilians, stressing that their presence there would sustain the existing peace and stability in the region.
He reminded them of the need to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and respect for human rights.
The Chief of Operations equally charged them to adhere strictly to the ECOWAS’ mandate, which guides their mission, and ensure that their actions align with the principles of peace, stability and human rights.
While calling on the contingent to also adhere to the United Nations principles and guidelines for peacekeeping operations, Major General Sinjen also charged them to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Gambia.
Earlier in his welcome address, Commandant of the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, Major General Ademola Adedoja explained that the centre has been able to train, re-train and refresh the troops on the requisite knowledge and expertise to succeed in a peace support operation environment.
He added that the pre-employment training was aimed at equipping the earmarked unit with the requisite skills and knowledge to function effectively and efficiently in their deployment to the Gambia.
Major General Adedoja added that the graduation ceremony shows the commitment of Nigeria and the Nigerian Armed forces to global peace and security.
A total of one hundred and ninety-seven troops comprising sixteen officers and one hundred and eighty-one soldiers graduated after undergoing a six week pre-deployment training.
Usman Sani
